Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Golden Business Ideas

Related

TOPICS

Uncategorized Article

How to Check References

Some job seekers craft their resumes with the same creative energy
they would apply to writing a novel. And ferreting out fact from
fiction takes skill and persistence. Here are some useful tips to
uncover resume-doctoring: n Early in the job interview, warn
candidates that you intend to check their references carefully. It may
be too late to affect any resume inflation, but at least it may
inspire them to be especially careful about pumping up references’
assessments.

Just because a business associate highly recommends a
candidate, don’t short-cut reference checking. Friends sometimes don’t
mention unpleasant information about their buddies.

Confirm educational credentials. It just takes a call to
the school.

If you’re a CFO or a controller, call your counterpart at
the candidates’ former employers—even if that person was not the
candidate’s immediate boss.

If a candidate gives Jane Smith as a reference, ask Jane
for the names of several others you can speak with. While such
networking will ensure you have gone beyond the references coached by
the candidates, the method is not foolproof. You may even stumble on a
person who has a grudge against the candidates; so be ready to
discount their comments.

Some organizations hesitate to give any references for
fear of lawsuits. If you face that problem, make it clear that you
will have to tell the candidate that you can’t hire him or her without
a reference. That may prompt a former employer to be more forthcoming.

Avoid the Hiring Trap

Work teams are becoming a popular management strategy because they
tend to perform complex tasks more effectively. But there is one task
that you shouldn’t assign them: deciding on a new hire for the team.

Reason: They often are reluctant to hire top performers because they
may feel threatened by the candidate, worrying that the new person
could outshine them and challenge current practices.

A better approach: Consult with teams about a new hire but don’t
give them the final decision.

Learn To Say Good-bye

We’ve all had the uncomfortable experience of being in a lengthy
conversation with someone who just won’t let you go. Rather than being
abrupt and giving offense, try this tactic: Say the person’s name
(people love to hear their names spoken and often pause when they hear
it), say something nice about what they said, and then, without
pausing for a breath, explain you have a time constraint that prevents
you from hearing more. Then suggest some vague future time to talk
again.

Credit Department Performance

Don’t use the conventional method to assess the effectiveness of
your credit department—days sales outstanding (DSO). It’s too
sensitive to factors that are beyond the department’s control, such as
changes in sales terms.

Instead, use changes in the days delinquent sales outstanding
(CDDSO). That’s a yardstick that directly measures the department’s
work.

An Invitation

The JofA
publishes a monthly collection of Golden Business Ideas
and invites readers to contribute their favorites (for
attribution, if you like).